BUKHARA TIP SHELTER MAKES INROADS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001710 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR G/TIP (BRITTANY BROWN),INL (ANDREW BUHLER); ASTANA FOR ALMATY/USAID E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017 TAGS: PHUM EAID PGOV PREL KCRM UZ SUBJECT: BUKHARA TIP SHELTER MAKES INROADS REF: TASHKENT 1652 Classified By: POLOFF TIM BUCKLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Summary. Poloff visited a shelter in Bukhara that has assisted 45 female TIP victims since its opening in 2006. Funding from International Organization for Migration (IOM) has supported the shelter's operation as well as enabled the Istiqbolli Avlod NGO to conduct awareness training among local police and government officials as well as to at-risk youth. The director of the shelter and the NGO office has experience working in the city government on women's issues and uses her extensive connections to help victims and increase official support for her work. Poloff presented a copy of a Trafficking-in-Persons film with Russian subtitles that they plan to use in local events to increase awareness. End summary. ¶2. (C) On September 21 poloff visited the "Rehabilitation Center" in Bukhara, one of two TIP shelters in Uzbekistan, as well as the offices of Istiqbolli Avlod, an NGO focusing on TIP issues. While it is a locally registered NGO, Istiqbolli Avlod works closely with the Tashkent organization of the same name and relies on IOM for funding. Since its opening one year ago (2006),the shelter has already assisted 45 TIP victims. At the time of poloff's visit, the census was 4 women, one of whom has a toddler who also stays at the shelter. The minimum stay is two ees but typically TIP victims stay a few months. Ms. Abira Khuseynova, the Director, noted that all of the women require medical treatment upon their return to Uzbekistan (usually after deportation from abroad),and venereal diseases are common. Unlike the Tashkent shelter, which often meets TIP victims at the airport, the Bukhara shelter generally receives calls on a hotline from returned victims or often from their mothers. The hotline number is regularly advertised in newspapers and posted in public spaces such as bus stops throughout the Bukhara region. The office is staffed by the director, a youth outreach coordinator, a lawyer, and a telephone operator. The shelter employs a doctor, nurse, psychologist, a coordinator, and a security guard. ¶3. (C) Khusenova is a highly qualified director and well-connected to local authorities. She has a PhD and formerly worked in the Bukhara City Government (Hokimiyat) as Director of Women's Affairs. She says she still has connections to many people in the local government, which has helped lend the new shelter credibility and visibility in Bukhara. As an academic, she has also been able to use her connections to get TIP victims enrolled in the medical institute at reduced or waived tuition rates. This is important since the women often have no skills or opportunities in Bukhara. ¶4. (C) Khusenova reports that a few years ago the local government did not even know what TIP was, but now that they have conducted several major events local officials and police have a good understanding of the problem. Pictures of police participating in awareness programs hang on the office walls, and Khusenova stated USG funding for these programs "has made a big difference". She added that there is also greater understanding among prosecutors and within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, she worries whether funding from the USG to IOM will be sustained, as the shelter is entirely dependent on this support. She noted the local government "strives to help and support us", but has not provided any financial assistance. ¶5. (C) One woman in the shelter of Russian ethnicity had been trafficked to Thailand as a sex worker, which is not an unusual destination. Other common destinations for Bukhara women include the UAE, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Khusenova said that the women are generally told by recruiters that they will go abroad to work as nannys or housekeepers, and they do not have any idea they will end up as sex workers. She mentioned that, despite their efforts to help the women, up to 10% of the clients end up "with problems", sometimes including a return to prostitution. ¶6. (C) Poloff presented a copy of a Trafficking-in-Persons film (courtesy of PAS),which includes Russian subtitles, that was recently screened at Embassy Tashkent to rave reviews. The shelter staff was thrilled to receive their own copy, and said they will definitely plan local events to TASHKENT 00001710 002 OF 002 share with at-risk youth in Bukhara. NORLAND